Future BUDA venues ?

[Craig Disher]

I'll know if Rye will accommodate the group (24 is the limit) in October when the appropriate committee meets to decide next year's fixtures. The best way to get approval is to split a day between the old course and the Jubilee with lunch in between. The only large hotel in Rye is The George which is on the expensive side. However, there are plenty of b&bs in and around the town; food isn't a problem - plenty of good pubs and an excellent restaurant almost within walking distance of the golf club.

Mark is right about Deal Week. It's a bargain and it's a lot of fun.

[Rich Goodale]

There are a couple of hotels that overlook the course/clubhouse at Lossie. In truth I'm not sure of the quality but if not Lossie there are a number of other options in Elgin or Forres which aren't far away. I tend to think a BUDA based at Moray GC would be a winner for several reasons but also conscious that there are several ideas which have been floated before such as Craig's suggestion so perhaps Moray could be done some time after.

Niall

Hi Niall.  I think it is time for Scotland, to get back into the BUDA rota (last time was the Lundi/Eleie one when Tiger won his lasgt major).  I've stayed twice in Lossiemouth when playing the Moray Open in the early-mid 90's, and there are several hotels overlooking the course.  I assume/hope that they have raised their standards since I was there.  But then again, we've endured marginal hotels in BUDA's history (Liphook and Silloth come immediately to mind)......so cheap and cheerful can work.



Vis a vis Forfar, it could be very possible if linked to a BUDA in Carnoustie (along with Panmure, Monifieth, Scotscraig, Montrose, etc.).  Josie and I have stayed at the Hotel overlooking the 18th hole several times, and it is very acceptable.  The town itself is nothing to write home about, but you have some good nearby pubs, not to as well as to access to the facilities of the adacent clubs.  We could get some of the Scottish GCA cpontingent to come as well as maybe even Mr. MacKinnon from Queensland, who grewe up there.


Just a thought.


Rich

[Niall C]

Rich


I think I'd go for Lossie before Forfar/Carnoustie, as great as that might be. For our travelling contingent, once they realise they can quite readily tag on a Cruden Bay/Dornoch/Castle Stuart visit before or after, I'm sure it will prove a vote winner.


That said, happy to let Craig or/and Sean have first crack with their ideas.


Niall

[Rich Goodale]

Agreed, Niall


Craig and Sean have semi-concrete proposals and "previous," and the "Build a BUDA and they will come" meme is always a strong one.  I'm neutral in all of this, and let's let all the 100 or so people who have participated in previous BUDAs speak their minds.


Rich

[Thomas Dai]

Seems like a longer-term view might be appropriate.


ie, fill in the blanks with suggestions -


2017 - ?
2018 - ?
2019 - ?
2020 - ?
2021 - ?


Just a thought as to how to move things forward.


Atb

[Sean_A]

As I aid previously, I am happy for someone else to run with their idea.  Craig's idea sounds grand and I am behind it. 


Ciao

[mike_malone]

August is a great time to escape Philly.

[Garland Bayley]

And April would be a good time for you Brits to play an away game at Kings Putter in Bandon. Dr. Grieve, being a glutton for punishment, organized it last year in Eugene, and is organizing Bandon next year.

[Tony_Muldoon]

As this is thread disappearing I read it as


Craig's proposal is attracting the most interest and he has said he would know if it was possible this October.


Sean has become all coy   and declared himself happy for others to go first.


The only other proposal with a name(s) attached is David and Mark. Brora/Golspie.


So with the expressed desire to have the next few years sorted, the question is do we have a quorum behind


2017 Rye
2018 Brora Golspie
 (unless Rye is impossible. In which case are David and Mark prepared to step into the frame for 2017 and when would you need to know by?)
2019 Kington.
2020 Somewhere in the home of Golf. Niall (who is even more self effacing than Sean.)


I will do my best to attend all 4 and for 2021 I hope to have the time to organise BUDA at the Alan Sheppard Golf Course.


PS its not too late for an alternative venue but I don't see any other offers where an organizer has put their name forward?

[John Mayhugh]

Certainly Rye and Littlestone would be fantastic.  And there are at least a few other good courses around.

If not 2017, soon for Kington.  The more people that have a chance to experience it, the better.

[Sean_A]

Spangles


I know you disagree, but I am of the opinion that my time is valuable.  I don't want to find myself hangin' out to dry with a lack of support under the "plan it and they will come" theory and have wasted a bunch of time. I currently don't see anything like the support that would encourage me to get off my ass.  I never much thought the venues were all that important so long as they are overwhelmingly in England/Wales so taking Buda to Kington isn't a high priority for me.  If someone else is keen to get off their ass, and with a dirth of support for Kington, why muddy the waters?  Let Craig get on with things and all will be well.  I only hope I can attend.  If I recall correctly Craig stated July/Aug would have to be the timing, which in theory suits me better.


Ciao

[Jon Wiggett]

I would love to attend a BUDA but any time in the summer is not possible for me. However, the meeting we had in January at Gullane was very enjoyable so hopefully we can organise something again this winter if there is enough interest.


Jon

[Ulrich Mayring]

Well, then let me pitch for Kington. We stopped there on our way back from Buda to have a sandwich and look at the course. Here's what I witnessed:



While we were eating our sandwiches, we talked to Ken Lewis, a former captain and now 82 years old. We got into discussing the golf course, the Brexit, local history (Hound of the Baskervilles, Anti-Celts dyke etc.) and whatnot. When I mentioned I was part of a group and some lads where thinking we should bring our event to Kington, he was genuinely happy and promised my wife to show her around, if she wasn't playing golf (he doesn't play anymore himself).

So now my wife is pestering me when this Kington thing is coming off and that in ten years it may be too late to meet Mr. Lewis again.

So, that's about all of the motivation I can throw at you guys and I sincerely hope you're not expecting me to organise this from Germany

cheers,

Ulrich

[Thomas Dai]

Time to type and then hide behind the sofa!
[/size]
[/size]Rye, a splendid opportunity. [/size]However, I've seen comments somewhere on GCA discounting Brancaster/RWN due to it's 2-ball and foresomes only policy and doesn't Rye have similar restrictions? Also isn't Sussex/Kent in the summer likely to be very expensive for both golf and accommodation? This might put some folk off attending. What about an alternative possibility of Rye/Sussex/Kent in the shoulder season or even in the off-season as the weather then still ought to be okay, the courses less busy but still in fine condition and the prices for both golf and accommodation lower?
[/size]
[/size]As to other locations, I like the thought of both Golspie/Brora and Lossiemouth/Moray. Plus there are numerous other interesting courses nearby and not so nearby to visit in conjunction with either of these locations.
[/size]
[/size]As much as I like Kington the thought of playing several consecutive rounds there doesn't appeal quite as much in comparison to the other options proposed. In addition, whilst there are numerous interesting places nearby to visit from the tourist perspective there isn't that much other decent golf in the surrounding area although there are a few quirky courses.


[/size]Wherever 2017 is held though, if it is as enjoyable as 2016's event it'll be terrific.

[/size]Atb

[John Mayhugh]

TD,
The biggest issue with taking Buda to Brancaster is that we don't (as far as I know) have any sort of organizing connection with the club, and they are hardly likely to need our society to visit.  Weekend play wouldn't likely work either.  If someone could arrange a couple of days there, sign me up immediately.

The presumed lack of options near Kington doesn't bother me.  It's not a place many people are going to get to otherwise, and there are going to be plenty of options for the trip there or home.  Kington + Church Stretton (an hour away) would be plenty interesting for three days.

[Craig Disher]

TD,
Rye is a 2-ball club, no exceptions. With 24 players, foursomes is the only option. Players with an "own ball" obsession can be comforted that 2- and 4-ball matches can be arranged at Littlestone. Since the Buda is primarily social, I don't think there's a better way of mixing with friends than foursomes.

I don't think the Rye area is excessively expensive in summer, certainly not like Rock. There are numerous b&bs with rates comparable to what we've paid at other Buda venues. The fees at Rye are about the same as Deal and less than RSG - not cheap but reasonable value for the experience. I doubt there would be much saving by holding the event later in the year.

[Mark Chaplin]

Craig is right, a few premium clubs drop their green fees from 1st November to 28th February or 30th March. Accommodation prices may change £10 per night. It's not Scotland or Ireland with 10 price bands and an £20 surcharge if the sun comes out!

Rye is also a terrific little town for socialising.

[Thomas Dai]

Thanks Craig and Mark for the information and insights etc. Roll on 2017.
Atb

[Richard Fisher]

One of the best weeks for a British golf trip, if you don't mind taking a major chance on the weather, is the final week of March, when the clocks have gone back (giving an extra hour of afternoon daylight) but many clubs are still offering winter green fees. 36 holes thus becomes an absolute steal, for those who want (and playing foursomes, they well might). For about twenty years I took part in a terrific tiny society outing that always, Easter permitting, tried to get those dates, and have had some of the best days ever, and best golfing weather, during that week. And, in fairness, some of the worst too, with hail, sleet, snow, 4-club freezing winds to keep everyone honest.

If you all want to stay together in the same hotel, then a March BUDA based at (say) the Trefiddian Hotel in Aberdovey, above the links, with the prospect of a lovely train ride to either Harlech or Borth & Ynyslas, could be terrific, although all three locations could best be described as 'very quiet' at that time of year. Ditto a Saunton Sands based one, although the drive to RND Westward Ho! always takes a lot longer than you might think.

[Rich Goodale]

Thanks for that, Richard F.


Aberdovey has been on my mind ever since this thread started.


I played there in a 2-day Seniors event a couple of years ago and this is an ideal BUDA venue, particularly in the early Spring.  Quite frankly neither 5-rounds of foursomes at Rye (as much as I love the place) nor five four-balls at Kington over 3 days in the middle of nowhere and in the waning months of the year would inspire me to attend.  BUDA was started in 2003 as a mini-Ryder Cup type format--two 36 hole days of 4-somes/4-balls and then 18 holes of singles on the 3rd day.  The closer we can stay to that  ideal the better, IMHO.


Kington and Rye are not BUDA venues, they are pre- and apres- event opportunities for those who so wish to see those places.  Many better venues have been suggested elsewhere (BUDA wise).  Again IMHO.


Slainte


Richard G

[Mark Pearce]

There was a little discussion in Ireland of a Bulls Bay/Conwy combination but I don't think there is an obvious candidate to organise.  Aberdovey and Aberwystwyth or Borth & Ynyslas would be a great BUDA, I suspect.  Again though, who's to organise.


I completely agree with Rich about the format.  BUDA's best when it follows the Ryder Cup format.

[Sean_A]

Never heard it brought up before, but yes, Aberdovey and Harlech would be a good combo. 

In my experience with Buda 4somes, play is very slow because folks don't totally understand the idea that it is meant to be very quick and/or the course isn't designed for 4somes so no short cuts and hence 4 guys on every tee and/or the tee sheet is not set up for 4somes.  All it takes is one non-Buda group in front playing a normal 3.5 hour pace and the entire concept of 4somes is shot to hell.  If I am going to be out on the course for 3.5 hours I would rather do it playing twice as many shots.

To me, 4somes should be more a call of the day.  If the stars align then give it a go, otherwise, Greensomes or that Chapman thing folks did at Porthcawl works much better if 4ball is considered too much of a drag.

PS...if Craig gets it sorted, Rye/Littlestone will be a great Buda twinning. 

Ciao

[Craig Disher]

Rich,
My suggestion for 2017 isn't to schedule 5 foursome rounds at Rye. I've asked for a day at Rye and once confirmed will ask for a day and a half at Littlestone where we can play 2-ball or 4-ball - or 3 more rounds of foursomes just to aggravate you 

[Ben Stephens]

Sean,

I once went on a Stag Do and we hired a house overlooking Royal St Davids - I could find out from my friend where he got it from and how much did it cost - it had like 12 bedrooms mostly twin rooms. A great way of walking across the road and rail track from the hill slope

Cheers
Ben

[/size]

Never heard it brought up before, but yes, Aberdovey and Harlech would be a good combo. 

In my experience with Buda 4somes, play is very slow because folks don't totally understand the idea that it is meant to be very quick and/or the course isn't designed for 4somes so no short cuts and hence 4 guys on every tee and/or the tee sheet is not set up for 4somes.  All it takes is one non-Buda group in front playing a normal 3.5 hour pace and the entire concept of 4somes is shot to hell.  If I am going to be out on the course for 3.5 hours I would rather do it playing twice as many shots.

To me, 4somes should be more a call of the day.  If the stars align then give it a go, otherwise, Greensomes or that Chapman thing folks did at Porthcawl works much better if 4ball is considered too much of a drag.

PS...if Craig gets it sorted, Rye/Littlestone will be a great Buda twinning. 

Ciao

[Mark Chaplin]

Sean have you been on the sauce? If you were playing a BUDA foursome you wouldn't come up against a slow four ball as you'd be playing at a two ball club!

Wanting to avoid two ball clubs takes away some interesting and quirky courses from the table. Aldeburgh, Royal Ashdown, Huntercombe, Rye, Royal Worlington and Brancaster spring to mind.